During the general exam, your height, weight, and blood pressure will be checked. You also will be examined for any health problems you may have.
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Even though you probably will not have a pelvic exam, you should know what one is. Another test that you will have later (at age 21 years) is a Pap test. This test checks for abnormal changes in the cervix that could lead to cancer.
The pelvic exam has three parts:
- Looking at the vulva
- Looking at the vagina and cervix with a speculum
- Checking the internal organs with a gloved hand
The doctor will use a speculum to look at your vagina and cervix. When you have a Pap test, a sample of cells is taken from your cervix with a small brush.
To check your internal organs, the doctor will place one or two gloved, lubricated fingers into the vagina and up to the cervix. The other hand will press on the abdomen from the outside.
Making good lifestyle choices can help you to be strong and healthy for years to come:
- Maintain a healthy weight by eating a well-balanced diet and exercising often.
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs.
- Seek help if you have emotional ups and downs or feel depressed.
- Use birth control if you are having sex and do not want to have a baby.
- Protect yourself from STIs by using a latex condom. Know your partners and limit their number.
- Keep up with routine exams, tests, and immunizations.
An obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyn) is a doctor who specializes in the health care of women. Girls should have their first gynecologic visit between the ages of 13 years and 15 years.
It’s ok and very natural to feel anxious or have concerns about your first prenatal visit. Your first prenatal visit at Laurel OBGYN will be longer and more involved than other visits. It will include:
- Reviewing your medical history
- Administering tests and a physical exam
- Estimating your due date
Our goal of this visit is to assess your health and provide support and guidance on what to expect in the coming months. We also share resources and helpful information to help you in your first trimester.
As we are experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, we are administering the safest practices and policies in our health clinic. Each team member is working diligently to ensure our patients and staff are at the lowest risk possible.
There isn’t a specific time when pregnancy food cravings start. It’s different for every woman – and you may not necessarily have any cravings.
If you do start having cravings, it’ll probably be in your first trimester (it could be as early as 5 weeks into pregnancy). They’ll get stronger in your second trimester, and then eventually stop in your third trimester.
Cravings come in all shapes and sizes. Some women crave fatty foods like chips. Others get pregnancy cravings for things they didn’t like before they got pregnant, or strange combinations of food such as mars bars with bacon.
Try to eat as healthily as possible – keep those unhealthy temptations to a minimum!
If you find yourself craving things that aren’t food, like toothpaste, coal or even soil, speak to your midwife or doctor, as this may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency.
Weight gain in pregnancy varies from person to person. It also depends on your weight before you become pregnant.
Most pregnant women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22lb to 26lb), putting on most of the weight after week 20. Much of the extra weight is due to your baby growing, but your body will also be storing fat, ready to make breast milk after your baby is born.
Putting on too much or too little weight while you’re pregnant can lead to health problems for you or your unborn baby. But don’t worry, it’s easy to make healthy food choices. Find out what to eat when pregnant and what foods to avoid.
You’ll get most of the vitamins and minerals you need by eating a healthy, varied diet. But when you’re pregnant (and while you are trying to get pregnant) you also need to take a folic acid supplement. It’s also recommended you take a daily vitamin D supplement – especially in the winter months (October to March) when you don’t get enough from the sunlight.
Along with the vitamins you should take, there are also some to watch out for and avoid. You should avoid supplements and multivitamins containing vitamin A (retinol) – as too much of it can harm your baby’s development. You should also avoid liver and liver products (including fish liver oil), as they are high in vitamin A.
Find out more about vitamins and supplements in pregnancy.
Nausea and vomiting are very common. This usually occurs in the first 12 weeks, but can last longer. Your baby will be fine, even if you cannot eat very much during this time. The goal is to prevent dehydration.
Recommendations:
- Eat 5-6 small meals a day, increasing protein
- Avoid spicy or greasy foods and anything that is hard to digest
- Separate solids from liquids
- Eat crackers one half hour before getting out of bed
- Can try teas… raspberry, ginger, etc and ginger root capsules
- Emetrol, Dramamine, and Meclizine are safe to use
- Increase fluids
- Acupuncture, meditation, and massage therapy can be used
- Call if you cannot tolerate anything by mouth and keep appointments so that you and your doctor can discern if weight loss is dangerous or dehydration is occurring.
Caused by increasing uterine pressure, venous dilatation, constipation, and heavy lifting
Recommendations:
- Avoid constipation (See Constipation recommendations)
- Avoid heavy lifting
- You can use Tucks pads, ice packs (no heat), and Anusol/Preparation-H
- Call if they are blue in color and painful
